The Pudding Pantry has offered to give school children free meals in the October half term in response to footballer Marcus Rashford’s recent campaign.
The company, which has two branches in Nottinghamshire, has decided to offer these meals due to the Government’s decision to not extend the free school meals scheme during the half term break.
Footballer Marcus Rashford launched his free school meals campaign in response which has seen businesses across the country pledge meals for children.
The Pudding Pantry is just one Nottingham business that has responded to the campaign and will offer meals between 10am and 2pm on Monday to Friday next week, available for collection.
The owner of Pudding Pantry, Anthony Quinn said: “We are appalled by the Government decision not to help during this difficult time, households are under a lot of financial strain which is just wrong.
“Even if we weren’t in a global pandemic this was a poor decision.
“We are a popular place and have had such amazing support from Nottingham and the greater community over the last seven years and we thought this was the least we could do, and also hoped it’d inspire others.”
He told Platform Magazine the company is unsure how much food to prepare but any leftovers will be donated to Nottingham food banks.
The company already supplies 25 meals weekly to Emmanuel House Support Centre.
This offer is redeemable by asking a member of staff or showing The Pudding Pantry’s post on social media and will provide a child with a meal and a treat next week.
Other Nottingham businesses involved in the campaign include Farm Fresh, Ruddington Fish Bar, Rose and Crown (Lenton) and the Cottage Hotel (Ruddington).
By Ellie Danemann and Faith Pring
Feature image credit: Olimpia Zagnat